Zhang Guozhong's variety show sold itself on authenticity, so the guests' phones weren't confiscated-
The truth was that a popular young actress had secretly contacted her sugar daddy before, only for her fans to dig it up with their microscopic scrutiny, causing quite an uproar.
Zhang Guozhong had put on an act and sighed, "These fans really screw you over." From then on, he openly let the guests carry their phones.
Sure enough, a few young idols who didn't know how treacherous the world could be fell for it, contributing their own buzz to the show.
That was why every celebrity coming on the show received stern, repeated warnings from their manager beforehand:
Watch out for the cameras, and don't use your phone! If you have to, do it in the bathroom!!
Wen Jiu was no exception.
This was what Qu Feng had said: "Your private life might be even cleaner than your face, but just in case, don't take out your phone unless you have to.
"And above all, absolutely! Watch out for that bastard Zhang Guozhong!"
As it turned out, his manager was right.
The director always had a thousand ways to make guests take out their phones. For example: having two sworn enemies hold a friendly face-to-face conversation.
See, Wen Jiu hadn't even reached Peach Blossom Spring Village, and tales of his exploits had already spread throughout the production team.
The regular cast members shared in the amusement with the entire internet's rubberneckers.
"Peach Blossom Spring Secluded Living Diary" had three regular cast members. Two were veterans who had stayed on from earlier seasons, a model married couple in the entertainment industry.
Best Actor Yu Qing was responsible for livening things up and looking after newcomers, while Shen Yu, a former Best Actor in television who had moved behind the camera to become a director, handled the guests' daily needs. Every so often, he would get jealous when Yu Qing was too enthusiastic toward the youngsters, leaving the entire internet shipping them like mad.
Meanwhile, the popular young heartthrob Shen Huaian was this season's youngster himself, a "poor little single dog" whom netizens called multi-talented and surrounded by sweetness, a fully automatic super third-wheel light bulb rated at a whopping 250 watts.
When the group arrived at Peach Blossom Spring Village, the three were already waiting in front of the courtyard.
From far away, Shen Huaian immediately locked onto Wen Jiu, who was buried behind the suitcases. They had watched the livestream earlier too, and Wen Jiu's seat just happened to face Peach Blossom Spring House, making him very conspicuous.
Shen Huaian stood on tiptoe and waved enthusiastically at him. "Wen Jiu!"
Wen Jiu tentatively poked his head out.
Shen Huaian blinked his sparkling puppy eyes. "Can you show me Gu Wenzhi and Bu Qing?"
Wen Jiu: ...
As though those words had scalded him, everyone saw the fluffy head above the suitcases retract at the speed of light.
This time, he buried himself even lower.
Only a tuft of unruly hair on his crown remained visible.
Wen Jiu's hair was brownish, medium-length, and slightly curly, giving him a very boyish look.
He was so adorable that the entire internet was calling him their wife or son.
[Wen Jiu: Is that polite?!]
[Hahaha, An'an's getting cheeky too. Watch out, or you'll get beaten up!]
[Mommy's good boy, be brave. Lift your head.]
[Lu Xun once said, "True warriors dare to face a bleak life head-on and look their dark history squarely in the eye!"]
[Wen Jiu once said, "Real men don't say they're scared."]
[Hey, upstairs, can you trust anything our son says? He also said he was straight! I think the truth two comments up is much more on point.]
[Hahaha, how savage! I'm about to die laughing in this livestream!]
Yu Qing tried to make his glances at Wen Jiu less obvious, but he still couldn't keep the amusement from spilling out of his eyes. Afraid the little fellow would get shy, he held back from greeting him and instead smiled naturally.
"You've had a tiring trip. Come inside and rest first. Here, give me your suitcase."
Yu Qing was very handsome, with fine, delicate features. Even marriage hadn't dispelled his boyishness. As he looked over with a smile in his eyes, he was gentle and approachable.
Lin Shuheng blushed helplessly and, in a rare display of humility, bowed to greet his senior.
"No need to trouble you. I can handle it myself."
Wen Jiu had been hiding behind the suitcases like a quail. Hearing his nemesis speak to someone in that tone for the first time, he couldn't hide his curiosity and poked his head out to look.
Yu Qing and Shen Yu?!
Why were they here?
Wen Jiu froze in astonishment.
Because "Travel Around the World" had no script or game rules, and everything was improvised on a whim by the director and production staff, Wen Jiu had only watched the first episode of the first season to get a general idea, then read some gossip and interviews online.
When he saw their names, he had assumed they were merely NPCs with the same names. Only upon meeting them in person did he realize they were the actual fucking people!
In the real world, Yu Qing had been a benefactor Wen Jiu met early in his career. Appreciating his talent for acting, he had recommended quite a few good scripts to him and introduced him to several famous directors.
He seemed aloof but was actually gentle, was extremely well-liked in the entertainment industry, and fully deserved his title as the nation's Best Actor.
Unfortunately, fate had other plans. Yu Qing died in a plane crash not long after winning his Best Actor award.
Half a month later, Shen Yu followed him.
But what was going on now? Had they transmigrated into the book too?
Holy shit, what was the deal with this book?
A parallel world?
A refuge for the dead, an Eden for the departed???
Wen Jiu stood there, utterly bewildered.
Without warning, someone slapped his back. "Gone stupid?"
Zhang Guozhong found his reaction curious. Looking at Yu Qing, he teased, "Well, there's another one you've dazzled senseless."
Shen Huaian laughed along. "A-Qing's just too charming. But watch out, or a certain someone's vinegar jar will tip over."
Wen Jiu came back to himself. Meeting Yu Qing's familiar gaze, inexplicably gentle, he felt his nose sting.
He glanced at the person behind Yu Qing. Shen Yu still wore that same sour expression and only said, "It's windy outside. Don't stand around."
[Shen Yu actually isn't jealous?]
[Why does this atmosphere feel so strange? Did I stumble into some reunion after a long separation?]
[Who exactly is this newcomer called Wen Jiu? Let me look him up.]
[Screw your newcomer crap. My wife debuted seven years ago!]
Once the group sat down inside, Shen Huaian bustled around making tea and bringing everyone water. His enthusiasm left Wen Jiu at a loss.
Unable to sit still, he got up to help. "Let me, let me. You take a break."
Zhang Guozhong pushed him straight back down. "Enjoy your last two hours of peace and quiet. Once everyone's here, you'll have plenty to keep you busy."
Wen Jiu: ???
There were more people?
"Ahem! Now, let me announce the rules for this episode." Zhang Guozhong cleared his throat and pulled out his planning notebook, finally looking a little like a chief director-who knew when he had decided on a whim to dig it out? Maybe there wasn't even anything written in it!
"In two hours, Peach Blossom Spring House will welcome two honored visitors, this episode's mystery guests."
"Our two youngsters, Wen Jiu and Lin Shuheng, can rest for a bit. As for Peach Blossom Spring House's old hands, you can get moving now if you have nothing else to do."
Wen Jiu, the youngster: "? What mystery guests??"
Zhang Guozhong smiled without answering.
Unable to resist, Yu Qing raised a hand and rubbed his fluffy head, smiling as he rolled up his sleeves. "You two get some rest. The old hands are going to start making lunch."
Shen Yu followed him out without a word.
Shen Huaian pointed upstairs and said with a smile, "Your rooms are on the second floor. There are nameplates on the doors."
As he spoke, he couldn't help glancing at Wen Jiu again. Once he finished, he left the main house too.
With everyone around him gone, Wen Jiu could only drag his suitcase upstairs, muttering under his breath.
Some people had already lost all face, while others hadn't even shown theirs yet.
Tch. Annoying.
He wanted to see exactly what breed of monkey was coming.
Using all his brute strength, Wen Jiu huffed and puffed as he hauled his suitcase upstairs in one go, then couldn't help planting his hands on his hips.
After battling that bastard for so long last night, spending so long in the car this morning, and suffering such devastating "blows" and mockery, he, Wen Xiaojiu, could still drag such a heavy suitcase upstairs. He really was...
Just thinking about it made him feel fucking awesome, okay? Hahahahaha!
Every room in Peach Blossom Spring House, along with the hallways, had cameras connected to separate livestreams.
The netizens who had just crawled along their internet cables and switched to the second-floor feed unexpectedly came face-to-face with the boy's fair, tender face, covered in a thin sheen of sweat.
Before they could lick their screens, they saw the little dumbass standing in the middle of the passage, laughing himself silly all on his own.
The bullet comments: [...]
Lin Shuheng couldn't go on halfway up. His delicate face had turned deathly pale, forcing him to stop on the landing at the bend in the wooden staircase.
Seeing Wen Jiu's brilliant smile, his gaze darkened. He raised his head and called weakly, "Xiaojiu..."
Wen Jiu shot him a dagger-sharp look. "Don't call me that. Are we close?"
Lin Shuheng bit his lower lip lightly.
He was obviously about to stir up trouble. Wen Jiu ignored him, took hold of his suitcase handle, and prepared to leave.
Lin Shuheng grew anxious. "My suitcase is too heavy. I can't carry it. Could you carry it for me?"
Wen Jiu acted as if he hadn't heard.
"Even just giving me a hand would do. Please."
Lin Shuheng sounded so weak that a breath of wind might knock him over. Unsure whether something really was wrong with him, Wen Jiu came back to check.
"Aren't you managing just fine? You've already carried it halfway."
Lin Shuheng said, "I..."
"Stop. Don't put on an act here. You might not be done acting, but I'm about to puke from watching."
"Aren't you tired after acting for so many years?"
Lin Shuheng's face was pale.